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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Let me start by reminding you that my husband is jobless at the moment. He's getting better, both mentally and physically as each day goes by, and keeps busy with things to do around the house.

My laundry is always done for me, the kitchen is tidy, he's trimmed many of the hedges outside, and picked up the numerous branches that fall from the trees and well, the list goes on.

At times, he goes onto to the internet to surf the web and he's been asking me what I want for my birthday, which is around Thanksgiving.

I don't want him spending our savings on things we don't need. And if he's approved for disability (he better be!) the first check won't come in until the end of May, which is insane. (I can see how people in this country go bankrupt when a medical situation arises in the family). But we're okay for now.

What I really want is a 300 mm camera lens, but I refuse to let him spend the money on something so frivilous. What I really I need, I told him, is a jewelry box.

I've become tired of storing my jewelry in the boxes that my pieces have come in. I have a hinged wooden box that I also use, and have made partitions in it to separate my things. But they get all tangled up and it's maddening, especially in the morning when I'm looking for a certain piece to wear or trying to find the mate to an earring.

When I walked in the door today, he told me, "Oh, I went on the internet and looked at jewelry boxes and I can't believe how expensive they are. So I made you a jewelry box for your birthday. It's upstairs where you keep all your stuff."

My first thought was that was a huge sentence for him and I was thrilled that he was talking so much!

My second thought, however, was what it was that awaited me upstairs, and as I climbed the steps, I was thinking how I was going to not hurt his feelings when I saw this gift.

I mean, how could he "make me" a jewelry box?

I entered the master bathroom, where there is a huge walk-in linen room. Imagine my complete surprise when I looked on the jewelry shelf and saw a real jewelry box! It has little pull-out drawers lined with gold paper and shiny little brass drawer pulls. It's very rustic, but I was completely touched at the thought of him working hard, all day long, on this gift just for me.

He told me he had found an old tool box-looking thing downstairs in the recesses of the basement. And my heart sank as I realized that this was one of the many tool boxes that the grandfather of the current owner of this house made. I figured on letting the owner know and I could use the box as long as we live here.

When I went to work the following day, I told the owner's wife what had happened. And I get to keep this jewelry box!

Now, looking at it, I know you're probably thinking that it's just a box made of plywood, but to me it has my husband's heart in it. He found something that was completely covered in dust and some mold and he sanded it and cleaned it and dried it. He then painted it in a dark stain that he found lying around. He polished the brass and then lined each tiny drawer with gold gift wrapping paper.

Can you imagine losing your job and having nothing to do all day long? It would drive me mad! This kept him busy and entertained for an entire day.

I think you're right. He's a blessing plus ten. That box is so much more than just a box, but even as a box, (insert cussing stream of joy) it is awesomly beautiful. Wonderfargingful. (I almost got through it without cussing.)

Oh Kate this is the sweetest thing. That will be a treasure to keep forever. Happy birthday early. You both deserve all the happiness.

Oh and when my daughter was ill she went through the same thing about disability. She was approved but it took forever to come through and the screw ups social security made (like double payments and such)caused over payments that she had to pay back later. Maddening!

I think it is beautiful and how very cool that he did that for you... Way to go hubby person :) what day is your b day... marthas is the 28th :) Very cool that you will get to keep it as well... wonderful history in it to go with the love :) Happy Early Birthday!

Kate -- I read this last night before I went to bed and this morning I'm still thinking about it. What a wonderful gift. And your photos of the jewelry box are lovely -- beautifully captured. I'm happy to hear that your husband has been feeling better. Happy Birthday!

That is truly a touching story. You are truly blessed to have someone so loving to do something so amazing and wonderful. I love homemade gifts from the heart.

Happy Birthday to you! Mine is also coming up soon... it's on the holiday this year... and it's a miestone birthday. I never thought I'd make to this one, but God is good and continues to bless and have plans for us.

I not only think it was incredibly sweet, but I also really like the box itself! It's lovely.

this all brings back the time a few years back when my hubby was so very ill and couldn't work for a few years because of it (encephalitis). I was working full time and in school full time, and he was always thinking of sweet things to do to make my life easier even when he could barely stand up. Now we're living with his chronic illness, but it so much better than it was. And it sounds like your hubby is getting better day by day as well. And that's the greatest gift of all!

I love it! Maybe when Bob and I come visit we can find another in the depths of that basement for him to fix up for me! Just kidding Mrs. K! Looking at maybe coming the 29th....Is it ok to say that on blogger world?

I need a jewelry box in thee worst way. I would love to have something handmade by your husband. The meaning behind it far, far outweighs the value of the wood or hardware. Outstanding. Truly. Happy Birthday if I haven't missed it and if I have... happy belated. And thank you for sharing such a personal and heart touching story.

If it were my jewelry box I would treasure it for the rest of my life... it has to be the most beautiful gift you have ever received. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming happening in your life with all of us...

Touching and so thoughtful of your husband. (Yes, I can imagine losing one's job. It happened to my husband for over 2 yrs in this area...) Tears came to my eyes as you described "but to me it has my husband's heart in it" and how long a sentence he articulated.(I was a Speech-Language Pathologist who worked with stroke, cancer, etc, survivors before I became an full-time artist.)

My name is Kate. I live in Maryland with a border collie named George in an old manor house that predates the Revolutionary War. I began this blog in 2007 to share my photography with my family and friends. Welcome.

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